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ROB GOWAN, QMI Agency

OWEN SOUND, ONT. - With just over a month to go before the start of the Winter Olympics, alpine skier Larisa Yurkiw is feeling confident about her chances of securing a spot at the Games.

"I am feeling a new sense of confidence I haven't tapped in a while," said Yurkiw, who needs one more top-12 finish on the World Cup circuit to qualify for the Olympics. "I feel good about it and I know I am doing everything I can to increase my chances of going."

Yurkiw was back in Owen Sound visiting family this week, taking a break from a whirlwind season that has seen the city native skiing the best of her career.

She has had success at the World Cup level since the season opened about a month ago, posting a super G career-best 15th-place finish in Beaver Creek, Colo. She then finished seventh and 26th in downhill races at Lake Louise.

Just before returning home she competed in a World Cup stop in Val D'Isere, France, where she suffered a severe knee injury in 2009 that sidelined her for about two years. She came away with a 14th-place finish, just off the 12th-place finish she needed to qualify for the Olympics.

Yurkiw's dream of going to the Olympics took a big hit in April when Alpine Canada cut her from the team despite her being the reigning national champion in the women's downhill. Alpine Canada's said it wanted to go with athletes who officials believed would have the best chance to medal in the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.

But Yurkiw wasn't about to give up. She decided to ski independently this year, raising money and seeking corporate sponsors herself to fund approximately $150,000 in costs.

Yurkiw credits many things for her performance this season, including her hunger to succeed, the different environment associated with skiing independently and the expertise of her coach Kurt Mayr.

"I feel pretty lucky that I have everything I need to produce success," said Yurkiw, who is also busy trying to secure accreditation at the Olympics for her coach. "I am super hungry for results. It has been a long journey."

Yurkiw said even though the Olympics are a little over a month away she isn't feeling the pressure.

"The only thing that would break my heart is to not perform on the world stage the way I knew I could," said Yurkiw. "I am so relieved to be able to show myself I worked hard for a reason and it is all coming to fruition."

Yurkiw will next compete on the World Cup circuit in Austria on Jan. 11, when she will look for the top-12 that will secure her a spot in Sochi.

"I have about four more locations and they each have one or two starts on average," said Yurkiw. "I have enough chances left."

Yurkiw said while the Olympics qualification is her ultimate goal, there are a number of other personal goals that come with competing on the World Cup circuit.

"Something I am really happy with is having my best season yet and we are not even halfway through the year," said Yurkiw. "That is all really exciting and positive and I want to keep the momentum going."

Yurkiw's story has many rooting for her to make the Olympics, not just in her hometown, but across Canada. Yurkiw said that backing has been really important to her success.

"The support has been very genuine," said Yurkiw. "It inspires me back. Sharing the good parts of this journey is really fun."

Yurkiw said the work involved with essentially managing herself has helped her mature both as a person and as an athlete.

"I think it has actually been really healthy for me," said Yurkiw. "I think I have always taken responsibility and always been a focused athlete, but this has really taken it to a new level. When I have a good time I share it with the people I want to share it with and when I have a poor result I also share it with the people I want to share it with. That is a neat thing to have control over at this point in my career."

Yurkiw is also proud to be inspiring others with her story.

"I think what people are liking about the story are the curveballs, the obstacles that no matter how prepared you are you might not get exactly what you want always," said Yurkiw. "The nicest thing for me is to share my story and hear how it inspired someone."

As for her future, at 25 Yurkiw thinks she has a lot of skiing left in her, but right now she is focusing on this season and the Olympics.

"There is so much to accomplish this season for myself and for this independent program," said Yurkiw. "That is what my sponsors have invested in and none of them are more than a year contract. I have definitely put all my eggs in this year's basket."